Posture // Position
So my word, or words, for this year go hand in hand with each other.
In Matthew 23:11-12 it says, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Also, in Matthew 18:4 it says, “therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
My prayer over this year is that God continues to humble me and teaches me what it looks like (posture) to be a servant (position). The deepest desire of my heart is to live a life that reflects Jesus. And although He had every right to come into this world as a king or wealthy, He didn’t. He chose a life of servant hood, a life of choosing to see the “least of these” and a posture of compassion. So, if the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who could’ve had anything He wanted continually chose a lowly position… then that’s my desire as well.
But wait! I have more!
So, I’m not sure if you’re familiar with this story, but in John 8 the teachers of the law and Pharisees dragged this woman caught in adultery in front of Jesus, expecting Him to stone her. As they are all standing there with their stones Jesus says, you who are without sin throw the first stone. They all begin to drop their stones and walk away. Then in verse 10-11 it says “Jesus straightened up and asked her, woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you.” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Although I hate to admit it, I can relate to the men holding the stones. For some reason, I feel like I am qualified to throw the first stone. Not with literal stones, but with the way I judge people or condemn them. But just like Jesus says, you who are without sin throw the first stone. So I was never really in the POSITION to throw a stone in the first place. However, throughout this year I want to have a posture that reflects Jesus’ in this story. He straightens up and allows the woman to start fresh again, no shame, no guilt. So, I am focusing on a posture of compassion rather than condemnation.
Alright! So the last two examples were ways (amongst many more) I want my posture to reflect Jesus in the way I love those around me, whatever that position may look like. This is part two of the greatest commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” However! We can’t forget about the first part of this commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” In Matthew 26:39 it says “going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup he taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” I think sometimes I get so comfortable with God asking Him for this or asking Him for that I almost forget who I am talking to or His holiness. But in this passage Jesus got before God with His face on the ground because He knew who He was talking to. So my goal for this year is to focus on my heart posture before God. Whether that means my position is face down on the ground or standing up boldly. At the end of every day, I ultimately want His will and not mine.
